Dreamy

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 20, 2012327 views7 comments

Since it is cold and windy, I am spending the day revisiting some summer/fall images from last year.
I suspect this one of Dream Lake has appeared several times in this forum. However, a sunrise view of this lake in Rocky Mtn NP, CO., always inspires me.
Taken last September, the early rise to walk to the lake was well worth it.
The final image was created by blending three differing exposures using Oloneo software. I was using a trial version of the software, but was impressed on the natural look it created without much effort. I normally use Photomatix or Nik HDR, but found, in particular, Nik didn't handle the bright sunshine well.
To achieve the final effect, I used Nik filters to bring out contrast and adjust some color.

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Matt Anderson on February 21, 2012 at 7:35 AM

Looks like a nice classic view.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 346 Posts, 2696 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on February 21, 2012 at 10:19 PM

Ken,

Welcome to NPN and the Landscape gallery! Dream Lake eh? I think I've heard of that somewhere? ;-) But just like any other popular location, there are always some classic and beautifully captured renditions, and this is certainly one of those. I think you've caught the timing of the warm light just perfectly and handled the exposure very well. You blend, however you finished it, is very well done. The only suggestion I have would be to darken the deepest shadows just a bit, especially in the upper half of the image for some added contrast up there. The reflection and balance of light between the top and the bottom is handled very nicely. I think a beautiful rendition from Dream Lake.

welcome aboard. We look forward to your images and contributions to the forums.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Nathan Apodaca on February 21, 2012 at 10:30 PM

Nice image! I've been able to get up there every now and then---incredible hike and scenery. Excellent blend of photos, as Lon commented. IMO, a bit of overall contrast would benefit this. Also, I wouldn't mind a tad boost in blue or red saturation, but then again, I'm not very experienced with white balance and colors...

Welcome to NPN! Will look forward to see the way you view Colorado, or wherever else...

Registered on November 16, 2011, 67 Posts, 1127 Comments

Comment posted by Jess Lee on February 22, 2012 at 10:36 AM

Very nice composition. I would like to see a little more contrast or possibly less exposure on the upper half in the center but that is a small thing.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 114 Posts, 929 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on February 22, 2012 at 2:36 PM

I like the light in the scene, but the amount of blue sky seems a bit weighty, so my only though is to maybe crop some of it.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on February 22, 2012 at 8:32 PM

Nice image Ken, as others have stated, it's classic. I would agree with Lon about darkening the shadows a bit to improve the contrast some.

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on February 23, 2012 at 12:45 AM

Ken,

This is a really well composed and processed image. I am not sure why it doesn't have more comments

Anyways, I personally like it.

Michael

Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments